Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I am delighted somebody else shares my view. Some of the media commentary on these matters has been irresponsible and I hope commentators will in future be fair and, at the very least, offer an opportunity to everyone to participate in the debate. It must be acknowledged, regardless of one's religious beliefs, that the Catholic Church has made a fantastic contribution to education over the years. When resources were scarce they were nevertheless found, by whatever means, and efforts made to improve conditions for the delivery of education. In order for children to be educated properly they must be content in the environment in which they are being taught. Whatever resources are needed, within reason, should be made available to provide the best possible facilities for children in schools.

I listened to what Deputy Quinn had to say about the segregation of pupils for 20% of the school day or week. Given the increased diversity of our society, the prospect of the vocational education committees coming on board to provide a community-based education model, with parents, professionals and administrators represented, is welcome. Any school that has not yet adopted a patron should give serious consideration to that model. As Deputy Quinn said, it is important that there be transparency in the arrangements for the segregation of children during religious instruction and that no pupil is banished to the back of a class.

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